IFP Condemns MEC's Undue Interference in Utrecht Municipality

December 19, 2006

The IFP condemns, once again, undue interference by ANC MEC for Local Government Mike Mabuyakhulu in IFP-run municipalities, this time in Utrecht.

Like last year in Abaqulusi council, Mabuyakhulu has now intervened in Utrecht, an IFP-run municipality, where he compromised the competences of Mayor Khoza.

“The ANC MEC for Local Government is at it again, targeting IFP-run municipalities. The MEC’s high-handed interference in opposition-controlled councils has become a pattern,” said IFP provincial spokesperson Blessed Gwala.

Last year’s showdown at Abaqulusi saw the MEC putting his own man in the place of a democratically elected IFP Mayor. “The MEC’s uncalled for intervention came to an abrupt end when the people of Vryheid put the IFP back in power in March 2006 local government elections,” said Gwala.

As a rule, Mabuyakhulu does not interfere in ANC-controlled councils which are demonstrably corrupt and beset by mismanagement and chaos such as uMsunduzi and uMgungundlovu District municipalities. “The MEC has reserved his right to interfere strictly in opposition-run councils,” said Gwala.

The IFP vows to restore order in Utrecht by all legal means available.  “We are determined to protect the independence of local government from the naked ambition of the ANC-led provincial government to control it,” said Gwala.


For further information contact:
Blessed Gwala
078 690 5777